St Ives Roosters enjoyed a successful start to the season last Saturday.

The local lads powered to a 46-16 victory at Brentwood Eels in their opening East Division One outing of 2018.

Roosters were left with a selection headache due to a number of regular players still having rugby union commitments. They handed debuts to James Snart and Finn Ruddock, while former captain Mickey Drake and Josh Taylor – the latter after a seven-year absence – both returned.

Snart was one of three men to touch down for early tries – Dave Sykes and Barnie West the others – as Roosters made an electric start before conceding twice in quick succession.

But the St Ives side soon regained the initiative with West darting in for a second try before Drake raced after his own chip kick to cross the line.

Four successful conversions from Paul Ashbridge handed Roosters a 28-12 advantage at half-time and that increased when West stole the ball and raced the length of the field to complete his hat-trick.

Sykes then went over for a second time before the Eels claimed a consolation, bur Roosters had the last laugh thanks to a fourth West score.

Ashbridge completed a fine afternoon with the boot by converting all three second-half tries and he was delighted with Roosters’ winning start.

He said: “We had to work extremely hard last week to get a squad together with the help of a few debutants and other lads making comebacks.

“Every single player did the club proud. They all gave 110 per-cent and that is reflected in the scoreline.”

Roosters travel to Milton Keynes Wolves this Saturday. The club will play their home matches at Somersham Road – the home of St Ives Rugby Club – this season.